The Architectural Legacy Of Dharmaraja Ratha (The Standpoint From Workroom)

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FROM MY YOUNGER days, my eyes and ears have been clinging to the chisel traces of the lithic-edifice, the fascinating Dharmaraja Ratha, Mamallapuram. Ever since, I experienced in me the sparkling flares and roars of the chisel tips, stirring and transpiring for a complete insight to writing a prayerful work: The Architectural Legacy of Dharmaraja Ratha. A burning desire, of the hereditary Indian architect, came from a rare lin eage, to write a work, from my workroom about the intelligent Dharmarāja Ratha. It is unsaid, intangible, scientific, and aesthetic heritage are the reasons for the birthing of this book.

Retrospective articulation leads me to turn back the clock, to 7th century CE, to connect with the invincible great monarch, Vātāpikonda Narasimhavarma Pallava and his proficient, imperial architect, perhaps 'Kēvāta Perunthachan.' It is assumed from an inscription found off Mamallapuram, in Pooncheri village that they are responsible for the genesis of Dharmaraja Ratha and of course, the other four Rathas too-the cluster of five Rathas, namely 'Pañca Pāṇḍava Rathās.' While writing this work, on many occasions, I felt I was melting and mingling with the pris tine architect of Dharmarāja Ratha, a debut icon, first made in the unique, hard stone fabric, synthesising the remarkable design and composition of the long lasting and hoary Dravidian tradition.

I CONGRATULATE DR K. Dakshinamoorthy Sthapati for authoring this useful book on the legacies of the significant and historical Dharmaraja Ratha of 7th century CE. The title of the book, The Architectural Legacy of Dharmaraja Ratha, itself is an indication of the author's intention.

Dr Dakshinamoorthy Sthapati comes from a family of traditional architects, and his father and ancestors were great architects who designed and constructed many famous temples. Also, his early studies in traditional architecture and his PhD on the rare architectural style of Uthiramerur Sundara Varadaraja Perumal temple, called 'Ashtanga Vimana, inspired him to bring out this authentic book on traditional architecture. Besides, his experience as asthapati in the heritage committee constituted for HR&CE, Government of Tamil Nadu, and his vast knowledge comprising more than three decades in designing various kinds of temple structures, helped him enormously to render this valuable book to the world of wisdom. This precious book is being delivered by asthapati who has enormous experience in theory and practice of architectural science. It seems that the author has deep knowledge of vastushastras. Skill in arts and knowledge of architectural literature are the two essential qualifications for any sthapati.

**Contents and Sample Pages**